Booker Calls for Job Growth, Family Support in Annual Address
Newark, NJ –Mayor Cory A. Booker delivered his fourth annual State of the City address last night, highlighting the city's economic growth, the importance of affordable and special needs housing and efforts to increase public safety.
Local and state dignitaries, administration leaders and Newark residents were among the 1,200 people in the Sarah Vaughn Concert Hall of the Newark Symphony Hall.
"It is not the ferocity of the storm but the strength of the people that determines destinies. And here in Newark, we are a mighty strong people," Booker said. "Together, we are building a stronger, safer, and prouder Newark."
The mayor honored numerous community leaders and activists including Drs. Leslie and Christopher Harvell, who opened the city's first pediatric dentistry office with the help of Brick City Development Corporation. He also commended South Ward resident and retired State employee Leroy Edwards, who reclaimed an abandoned lot in his neighborhood overrun by drug dealers to make his neighborhood safer.
Booker also acknowledged North Ward resident Anthony Tanel for becoming an anti-graffiti activist and Cynthia DeSouza, who joined the Super Neighborhood Initiative and Senior Citizen Police Academy and rides in the Mayor's Public Safety Caravans, despite being in a wheelchair.
He announced that the downtown Prudential Center will host the 2011 NCAA Northeast Regional Finals, bringing "March Madness" to the City of Newark for the first time in its history.
In addition, the NFL Players' Alumni Association will be moving its headquarters from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Newark. He added that Pitney Bowes is bringing a new plant and 180 jobs for residents to the city, and announced plans to build a new Marriott Courtyard Hotel at Broad and Lafayette Streets.
"Even in this difficult climate, businesses are choosing Newark and hiring our residents," Booker said. "From Standard Chartered Bank to tech companies like Audible.Com."
The mayor noted the administration's public safety achievements, citing a three-year 46 percent reduction in shootings, a 28 percent reduction in murders and a 21 percent reduction in overall crime.
Booker also mentioned Newark's Child and Family Well-Being programs, including the 12 Family Success Centers, the Grandfamily Center, the Newark Financial Empowerment Center, and announced that First Lady Michelle Obama has asked him to be a national co-chair in her campaign to reduce childhood obesity.
"I'm proud to serve Michelle Obama," the Mayor said. "We will be an example."
He also introduced the largest parks renovation project in Newark's history, a partnership with GreenSpaces, which has expanded or rehabilitated 20 parks in the City and renovated recreation centers, including the Boylan Street Center, and the full re-opening of Hayes West Center in the Central Ward.
The city will open a new recreation center on Irvine Turner Boulevard, which will be named the George Branch Clubhouse, in honor of the former Central Ward Council Member. The city intends to break ground on a new recreation center on Grafton Avenue, he said.
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